Digital Authoritarianism and Journalistic Dissent in Pakistan: An Empirical Investigation of PECA

Abstract

The technological advancement has empowered the governments to adopt ever more restraining policies under the disguise of cybersecurity. In Pakistan, the Prevention of Electronic Crimes Act (PECA) 2016 was enacted to combat the menace of cybercrimes. However, this has sparked substantial concerns over its use as a tool for state censorship and suppression of journalistic dissent. This paper examines how PECA has influenced and obstructed press freedom and media practices in the country. This study incorporated survey and in-depth interviews of long serving journalists of leading media organizations with the intent to understand their awareness and perception of PECA law in shaping the new facets of journalism in Pakistan. The findings revealed that journalists consider PECA playing a self-censorship and legal intimidation role in their professions while they feel restricted and bound to abide by their organizational owners in order to survive their livelihood. Journalists also predicted for this laws misuse in future for uncertain gains which may destroy the profession of journalism and keep hope in fair policies to be implemented in future. Moreover, this study concludes with several recommendations for balancing cybersecurity with press freedom.